Taye Diggs opened the Critics' Choice Awards with a cover of Cardi B's 'I Like It' that celebrated diversity in Hollywood.

The 48-year-old singer-and-actor kicked off his stint hosting the annual ceremony at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday by praising the inclusivity of "underrepresented people" in many of the movies and TV shows that had been shortlisted for the awards.

He said: "It's been another great year for movies and TV shows and not only was it an amazing year for creativity, it was also a great year for inclusivity of all underrepresented people.

"All underrepresented people of all genders and orientations played prominent roles both in front and behind the camera in many of this year's biggest films, television and streaming series.

"I am talking about men and women of Asian descent, Latinx, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.

"But particularly it was a great year for African-Americans. Black filmmakers earned a record $1.5 billion dollars at the domestic box office in 2018. This obviously is something very close to my heart, so I thought we'd celebrate with a heartfelt musical tribute."